Nicola Sturgeon’s Husband Peter Murrell Charged with Embezzlement Of SNP Funds

Peter Murrell, husband of Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP chief executive, is understood to have been charged in connection with embezzlement of funds from the SNP following a Police Scotland investigation into the party’s finances.Picture date: Thursday April 18, 2024. 75918766 (Press Association via AP Images)

Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged with embezzlement related to Scottish National Party funds.

Police Scotland are understood to have taken Murrell into custody early Thursday and, after hours of interrogation, charged him by evening.

“A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18, been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party,” police said.

Murrell, who served as the SNP’s chief executive from 2001 until his resignation last year, was released late Thursday. Sturgeon, who stepped down from her governmental role in February 2023.

The arrest comes amidst the long-running Operation Branchform, an extensive probe into the financial dealings of the SNP. As the investigation continues, a detailed report is expected to be forwarded to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.